Excess accumulation of visceral fat is reported to promote insulin resistance. However, it is not known whether or not insulin resistance improves without reducing visceral fat. Recent studies have reported, however, that exercise can improve insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of low-intensity exercise training on insulin resistance and visceral fat. Participants were 26 older adults, aged 63.9 ± 3.9 years, who were divided into two groups based on visceral fat area (VFA, cm²) measured by X-ray computed tomography. Eight men (153.4 ± 49.4 cm²) and 5 women (151.9 ± 45.5 cm²) were classified as having a VFA of 100 cm² or more (VFO group), and 6 men and 6 women as having less than 100 cm² (C group). After a 14-week exercise training program, VFA in women of the VFO group was significantly reduced (126.3 ± 40.0 cm²) ; though it did not reach 100 cm². However, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), an index of insulin resistance, significantly improved from 4.6 ± 1.9 to 2.2 ± 1.1 among women in the VFO group. These data suggest that improvements in insulin resistance for women with relatively high VFA are weakly associated with exercise-induced reductions in VFA. Based on these results, the activation of skeletal muscle with physical activity has the possibility of being independently associated with an improvement in insulin resistance without a significant decrease of VFA.

The aim of this study was to examine a weight reduction program and residual effects, through confirming the relationship between changes in the morphological and psychological indices including personality and self-efficacy (SE) of the participants. Twenty-five middle-aged women were divided into two groups based on type of weight reduction program intervention. Thirteen women participated in a 3-month diet-only weight reduction program (DO group, 53.3±7.4 yr), and 12 women took part in a 3-month diet and aerobic exercise program (DE group, 48.3±9.6 yr). After the programs, the compatibility score of personality in the DO group was negatively correlated to SE that is indicated as confidence in ability to maintain decreased body weight at 2, 3, and 4 years after the program (r=-0.69, -0.58, and -0.60). It can be seen that personality has an effect on the results of the DO group weight reduction program. Additionally, despite a significant decrease in body-weight and %fat in both groups, only the change of %fat significantly correlated with SE. On the basis of these correlations, the changes of %fat that related to the movability perception of body movements has a greater effect on SE after the program than the information only of weight loss. The results of this study suggest that personality and SE accounted for weight maintenance, and were associated with the results of the weight reduction program.

AIMTo report two cases of the left testicular artery arching over the left renal vein (LRV) before running downward to the testis.

METHODSThe subjects were obtained from two Japanese cadavers. During the student course of gross-anatomical dissection, the anatomical relationship between the testicular vessels and the renal vein was specifically observed.

RESULTSThe arching left testicular artery arose from the aorta below the LRV and made a loop around the LRV, which appeared to be mildly compressed between the arching artery and the psoas major muscle.

CONCLUSIONClinically, compression of the LRV between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery occasionally induces LRV hypertension, resulting in varicocele, orthostatic proteinuria and hematuria. Considering that the incidence of a left arching testicular artery is higher than that of a right one, an arching left artery could be an additional cause of LRV hypertension.

Aged, 80 and over ; Arteries ; abnormalities ; Constriction, Pathologic ; complications ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Male ; Renal Veins ; pathology ; Testis ; blood supply

[PURPOSE] To examine the safety of acupuncture treatment for breech presentation. [PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS] A retrospective study of cases in which acupuncture in the pelvic position was performed on hospitalized pregnant women with preterm labor in the pelvic position during the period March 1, 20XX-11 to December 28, 20XX was conducted. The survey items included maternal background, maternal and fetal status (including Non stress test), change in drug dosage for preterm labor, outcome of acupuncture treatment, and any adverse events due to acupuncture treatment. [RESULTS] There were 23 pregnant women who qualified for the study. All were receiving standard management of imminent preterm labor. The median number of acupuncture sessions was 7 per patient, for a total of 157 sessions. There was no significant increase in the number of uterine contractions within 24 hours of acupuncture treatment, and in no case was the fetal status assessed as non-reactive before delivery. There was no significant increase in drug dosage within 24 hours of acupuncture treatment. The rate of correction to the cephalic position was 39.1% (9/23 cases). Two adverse events (Grade 1) due to acupuncture treatment were observed, with a frequency of 1.3% (2 cases/157 sessions) per treatment. In addition, there were two cases in which ritodrine hydrochloride was increased within 24 hours of acupuncture treatment.[CONCLUSION] In our study population, there were no signs of fetal distress or worsening of uterine contractions. In the acupuncture treatment methods of our department, the possibility of adverse effects on the mother or fetus was considered low. However, there were two cases in which ritodrine hydrochloride was increased after acupuncture treatment. When providing acupuncture and moxibustion treatment to pregnant women, it is necessary to collaborate with obstetricians.

[Objective] To investigate effect on symptoms and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer-related fatigue.[Participants and methods] The subjects of the study were cancer patients hospitalized in palliative care who were treated with acupuncture for fatigue during the period from April 20XX-5 to October 20XX. Medical records were examined retrospectively. The main items investigated were changes in the symptom item of the STAS-J scores before and after the start of acupuncture treatment, and the frequency of adverse events.[Results] Thirty patients (14 women) were eligible for the study. All patients received standard palliative care. STAS-J improved within one week after the start of acupuncture treatment in 17 cases (56.7%), remained unchanged in 13 cases, and worsened in none of the cases. The number of acupuncture treatments was 14 per patient (median), for a total of 514 total treatments. No adverse events as defined by acupuncture safety guidelines were observed.[Conclusion] This report does not evaluate the impact of acupuncture alone because palliative care involves multidisciplinary care. However, the symptom item of the STAS-J improved in 56.7% of cases within one week after the start of acupuncture treatment, no cases worsened, and no adverse events were observed. Acupuncture and moxibustion is one of the methods worth trying in cases where symptoms of cancer-related fatigue do not improve with standard palliative care.

The 37th ICMART World Congress on Medical Acupuncture (ICMART) was held on Jeju Island, South Korea, from September 27 to 29, 2024. The theme of the congress was "Future of Integrative Healthcare, Convergence of Acupuncture, Medical Science, and Technology," and the event was organized by the Society of Korean Medicine (SKOM), which officially became a member of ICMART in 2019. During the ICMART General Assembly on September 28, 2024, the formal membership of our society was officially approved. This article provides an overview of the process leading to our society's membership in ICMART, and the proceedings of the ICMART General Assembly. It also summarizes the ICMART 2024 Congress and highlights a joint session between our society and the Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society (KAMMS) focusing on facial nerve paralysis.